Goal: Scouts will understand the difference between natural and synthetic plastic. Scouts will understand the structure of polymers.
Supplies: balloons*, skewers (thin), hand lotion, cooked and uncooked spaghetti (or use paper clip polymer model). (*These items are in the Color Your World with Polymer Science kit found at the scout store.)
Activity:
Watch Polymeric Structures video. (Grades K-5 watch video until 2.20 minutes).
Grades K-5: Create models of polymer structures (paper or human chains).
Grades 6-12: Manipulate polymers of a balloon. See below.
Grades 6-12: Research what a particular polymer looks like and recreate it. Using discarded plastic items, either consumer goods or packaging, design a creative or artistic model of a polymer. Use discarded plastic items, either consumer goods or packaging and design a creative or artistic model of a polymer. Scouts can research what a particular polymer looks like and recreate it. For example: polyethylene is used to make laundry detergent bottles and the chemical formula is (C2H4)n and can be modeled like:
Human Polymer chain model: Each scout represents a monomer. Hold hands to form a single straight polymer. Have the girls move around the room as a polymer. Now create two parallel polymer lines. Crosslink the polymer by asking 2-3 girls to connect the two lines by holding hands (think of an “H” formation). Have the girls move around the room again. Is it easier to move around the room as a single polymer or as a crosslinked polymer?
Paper Chain Polymer model: Each paper chain is a monomer. Connect them in a single chain to make a polymer. Move the polymer chain around and notice how easily it moves. Crosslink the polymer by taking two single lines and attaching one or two links between the lines (think of an “H” formation). Move it around. Notice how it is more difficult to move the crosslinked polymer.
Manipulate Polymers: For the balloon activity follow the directions in the video. Before inserting the skewer into the balloon, slide it into the hand lotion bottle to make the skewer slippery. When inserting the skewer into the balloon start at the knotted end (but not in the knot) and insert into the darkest area where the polymers are denser. Bring the skewer out the opposite end again where it is the darkest therefore densest area. Move slowly and twist the skewer into the balloon.
The smaller molecules that come together to form polymers are called monomers—small units that link together to form a large polymer. Think of monomers like paper clips that link together to form a chain, and that chain is a polymer. Polymers are made of many monomers linked together. Another model to consider: one Lego brick is a monomer and the structures you build with the Lego bricks are polymers.
Plastics and Common Uses
#1 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE)
Soft drink and water bottles, cleaner bottles, peanut butter containers
#2 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Milk Jugs, shampoo bottles, laundry detergent bottles, some plastic bags
#3 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Cling wrap for food, window cleaner bottles, medical vinyl tubing, shower curtains, flooring, and home siding
Kim McLoughlin Senior Research Engineer, Global Materials Science Braskem
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Kim drives technology programs at Braskem to develop advanced polyolefins with improved recyclability and sustainability. As Principal Investigator on a REMADE-funded collaboration, Kim leads a diverse industry-academic team that is developing a process to recycle elastomers as secondary feedstock. Kim has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cornell. She is an inventor on more than 25 patents and applications for novel polyolefin technologies. Kim is on the Board of Directors of SPE’s Thermoplastic Materials & Foams Division, where she has served as Education Chair and Councilor.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Gamini has a BS and PhD from Purdue University in Materials Engineering and Sustainability. He joined Penn State as a Post Doctorate Scholar in 2020 prior to his professorship appointment. He works closely with PA plastics manufacturers to implement sustainability programs in their plants.
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Tom Giovannetti holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Tulsa and for the last 26 years has worked for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company. Tom started his plastics career by designing various injection molded products for the chemical industry including explosion proof plugs and receptacles, panel boards and detonation arrestors for 24 inch pipelines. Tom also holds a patent for design of a polyphenylene sulfide sleeve in a nylon coolant cross-over of an air intake manifold and is a Certified Plastic Technologist through the Society of Plastic Engineers. Tom serves on the Oklahoma Section Board as Councilor, is also the past president of the local Oklahoma SPE Section, and as well serves on the SPE Injection Molding Division board.
Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. Senior Director and Research Professor University of Toledo
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is a Research Professor and Senior Director of the Polymer Institute and the Center for Materials and Sensor Characterization at the University of Toledo. He is a Chemical Engineer by training and after working in the process industry, he has been engaged in polymers and composites research for 18+ years. In the Polymer Institute he leads research on renewably sourced polymers, plastics recycling, and additive manufacturing. He is also the lead investigator of the Polyesters and Barrier Materials Research Consortium funded by industry. Dr. Lawrence has advised 20 graduate students, mentored 8 staff scientists and several undergraduate students. He is a peer reviewer in several journals, has authored 30+ peer-reviewed publications and serves on the board of the Injection Molding Division of SPE.
Matt Hammernik Northeast Account Manager Hasco America
A Resin Supplier’s Perspective on Partnerships for the Circular Economy
About the Speaker
Matt Hammernik serves as Hasco America’s Northeast Area Account Manager covering the states Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He started with Hasco America at the beginning of March 2022. Matt started in the Injection Mold Industry roughly 10 years ago as an estimator quoting injection mold base steel, components and machining. He advanced into outside sales and has been serving molders, mold builders and mold makers for about 7 years.
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Grades 6-12: Research what a particular polymer looks like and recreate it. Using discarded plastic items, either consumer goods or packaging, design a creative or artistic model of a polymer. Use discarded plastic items, either consumer goods or packaging and design a creative or artistic model of a polymer. Scouts can research what a particular polymer looks like and recreate it. For example: polyethylene is used to make laundry detergent bottles and the chemical formula is (C2H4)n and can be modeled like: 
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